Rams Notebook: Offensive line still not intact

ARLINGTON, Texas • The Rams have yet to have their starting offensive line intact this preseason, and Saturday's contest against Dallas was no different.

The Rams did welcome center Scott Wells back into the starting lineup. Wells, a free-agent pickup from Green Bay and a past Pro Bowler, had missed most of training camp as well as the first two preseason games following knee surgery in the spring. Wells started and played the first three series against Dallas.

But right guard Harvey Dahl, the rock of the offensive line, made the trip but did not dress. According to a team official, Dahl has an infection and could miss Thursday's preseason finale as well against Baltimore. Bryan Mattison started in his place. Barry Richardson started again at right tackle for the Rams, and appears to have won the job over former No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith.

Scene of the crime

Nearly 10 months ago to the day, Cowboys Stadium was the scene of the crime for Dallas running back DeMarco Murray against the St. Louis defense.

One day after Albert Pujols hit three home runs for the baseball Cardinals in Game 3 of the World Series next door at the Texas Rangers' Ballpark in Arlington, Murray set a Cowboys single-game rushing record with 253 yards in a 34-7 trampling of the Rams.

It was an even tougher game for Smith at tackle. He suffered a severe concussion trying to make a tackle after a Rams turnover and did not play again in 2011.

Rookie wide receiver Brian Quick was shaken up and had his head rocked back from a hard hit by Dallas safety Mana Silva early in the third quarter. But Quick merely had the wind knocked out of him and returned later in the quarter.

The series

Saturday's game marks the 24th preseason meeting between the Rams and Cowboys. The Rams have played only San Diego (35 times), San Francisco (28), and Cleveland (26) more often in exhibition play.

This is only the fourth preseason meeting for the clubs since the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995, and the first since 2000. The night of the 1997 meeting, a 34-31 Rams loss in Dallas, No. 1 overall pick Orlando Pace agreed to contract terms three games into the preseason.

Local line

The Dallas roster features offensive guard David Arkin, a fourth-round draft pick in 2011 from Missouri State, and nose tackle Josh Brent, a third-year player out of Illinois. The Cowboys' coaching staff includes linebackers coach Matt Eberflus, former defensive coordinator at the University of Missouri.

Ram-blings

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh got his first start of the preseason. And after missing practice time during the week due to leg soreness, Craig Dahl started at free safety. ... Female line judge Shannon Eastin worked Saturday's game.